HUNTINGTON BEACH CIVIC CENTER (Orange County Tribune photo).

From a staff writer

Adoption of the municipal budget for 2026-27 and approval of a “housing element” stating how many units the city must zone for will top the agenda of the Huntington Beach City Council.

The city is facing a budget deficit for the second consecutive year, and the new spending plan includes several cost-cutting measures.

The budget includes repealing a policy created to speed up the “payoff” of the city’s unfunded employee pension liability, as well as approving an updated master fee and charges schedule.

After postponing a decision at its last meeting, the council will take up a housing element update in its general plan in an effort to close out its dispute with the State of California.

A judge has imposed a $50,000 fine on “Surf City” for every month that Huntington Beach refuses to submit to the state its revised and conforming general plan amendment.

The city fought the state’s efforts to agree to zone for – but not necessarily build – 13,368 housing units. Legal efforts were unsuccessful and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the case.

The council will meet in closed session at 3:30 p.m. and in regular session at 6 p.m. at 2000 Main St.